Wasn't it Better When You Were Ignorant?

16 years ago

I was just saying to a friend of mine that life was much easier when I knew nothing about mealies, spider mites, watering and bad soil. I could just buy a plant from anywhere with no problem. Inspect the soil for what? I wouldn't know what to look for. Look under the leaves and the axis for what? I don't know what I'm supposed to see.

If I see something white and cottony, I'll just keep wiping it. Or not. Maybe I'd just ignore it. Little things that look like specks of dust? Well, it's just dust, right?

I'm going to give my plant a little extra plant food twice a week. That will make it grow fast! Then I could go on enjoying my plant while ignorantly under or over watering it until one day it just dies.

Ok, I spent $10 or 15 on it, but it lasted 3 or 6 months. That's good enough, right?

Oh those were the days...

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Comments (21)

grice
16 years ago
Indeed. Lol
Grice
birdsnblooms
16 years ago
LOL, how true..I remember the first time I read about bugs..this was back in oh 73/4..I had about 30 plants at the time..picked up a plant book, and got to the insect pages..at first I ignored it, thinking 'it' didn't apply to my plants..LOL..what's funny is, I decided to read the chapter, the first bug being mites..So, I walked around, at that time, appartment..I had a pretty Croton growing in a west window. It was nice and tall, w/vibrant colors..after checking it over, I discovered tons of mites..webbs everywhere..I didn't have any idea what to do. Didn't know about using soapy water..I went to a nursery and picked up a can of I-Bomb..the label said can be used indoors..but by that time it was too late..My croton died the next day..those suckers killed every leaf..Because I didn't know they spread, I wasn't worried about neighboring plants, but luckily, they never caught them..But ironically, the thing is, I only discovered bugs, (and had the same plants a long time) after reading the insect chapter..was that an omen??? LOL.. Toni
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naturelover_mtl
16 years ago
Amen. You better believe it was... When I first started out with houseplants, I had no idea about all the extra 'trimmings' that go with them... LOL... and I was much happier. Two decades later, I'm overloaded with information and constantly concerned about one bug invasion or another, constantly checking up on my plants, carrying out preventive measures, etc, etc. Ignorance is truly bliss...

And like Toni, I began by reading some literature on plants, just to learn a little more, and ignored the insect information...because I too thought those things happen only to 'other people's plants', not mine...LOL...
watergal
16 years ago
Actually, I'm a lot happier now. My obsessive reading when I was a hobbyist became really, really useful when I turned professional, almost as good as a college degree in horticulture. Now it takes me at least a year or two to let the spider mites kill an ivy or croton, instead of just a few weeks or months like before!

I have spent a small fortune on fertilizers, insecticides, gardening gadgets and lights, but I also have earned a salary working with plants, so I guess it almost evens out.
gabro14
16 years ago
Too funny that you brought this up Amanda. I think the same thing ALL THE TIME!! Mostly because I find myself talking about plant care WAY too much and offering unwanted advice to coworkers and friends!
Toni, it might've been an omen, lol...I don't think I ever had bugs on any plants until I knew that bugs could even live on plants!
Gabi
watergal
16 years ago
Gabi, well my coworkers are plant people, so they kind of have to let me talk plant care with them. But I know that I now bore my friends and family silly. They really couldn't care less about my plants. :( Why do you think I spend most evenings on GardenWeb? You guys actually listen!
naturelover_mtl
16 years ago
Lol...watergal, you are so right. Just a couple of days ago, I was over at my brother's house and him and his wife were drilling me with all kinds of questions. I should start charging for consultations...LOL...

Sometimes I don't even wait to be asked. For example, the dense soil that they had their plants growing in was sinful. When my brother asked why his Clivia's leaves were turning yellow, I told him it's because it CAN'T BREATHE with that heavy soil...LOL...

I guess one side of me loves being able to grow plants effortlessly, even if it did take time, effort and a lot of reading to get to this point. But I do remember the beginner days when I didn't know much, which wasn't so bad since millipedes (that traumatize me) were not part of the equation (only because I didn't know they can appear in soil)...LOL...
watergal
16 years ago
I saved my neighbor's porch plant the other day - she was so pleased! She told me to send her a bill.

Total strangers will stop me to ask questions when I'm out and about working with the plants. I enjoy helping them, as long as they are capable of giving me some basic info and willing to at least listen to the answer.

My least favorite question is, which I get a lot is, "I have this plant, I don't know what it's called but it's green, it doesn't look so good, how often should I water it?"
mr_subjunctive
16 years ago
Count me with watergal in the minority that's happier now. I used to be a lot more stressed when something bad happened with a plant, whatever it was (pests, leaf drop, etc.); now I tend to assume that whatever it is, there's something that can be done about it. It may just be the illusion of control, but even so.

I wish I could count myself with watergal as one of the people who make a living doing plant-related stuff, too. . . .
larry_b
16 years ago
Hi,

Interesting thread. Unfortunately I have never had a "time of innocence" when it comes to plants. My father had a lawn care service and I worked for him from age 12 to 22. Plants having bugs was our business. So when I started into houseplants at age 24 I was already aware that plants get pests.

I am somewhat with watergal. I have never been one to believe that ignorance is bliss. I'm more of a knowledge is power kind of person. It isn't that it's any more pleasant, but I guess I'm into reality. lol

This does remind me of a story unrelated to plants though. When I was a junior in college I dropped out for what was to have been an undetermined amount of time. The job market was tough and I wound up becoming a dishwasher in a nursing home. In fact I was the relief dishwasher for the dishwasher who had Down's (sp?) syndrome. Needless to say it was one of my lowest points in life.

The kitchen had quite a bit of staff that was made up of people with Down's syndrome and other mental disabilities. It occurred to me one day that these particular people were really quite happy. They had enough money to live and buy modest luxury items. They usually had some kind of pet. Life was good. I on the other hand had just quit school and was doing a lot of soul searching for what I wanted to accomplish during my time on this planet. For a split second though I remember thinking how these mentally challenged people may be the fortunate ones after all. They were not experiencing the emotional suffering I was going through. Of course, the split second went by and I was back to reality. I have never forgotten that observation though. Oh, I enrolled in college the next semester.

Larry
amany
Original Author
16 years ago
On Saturday and Sunday mornings I like to try to wake up before my husband and look at my plants in the morning light. Look at my babies before the big 34 year old baby I'm married too (ha, ha) wakes up. It's so soothing until I see something white and puffy looking. oh no! Mealies or perlite? Then I swear my blood pressure must go up a few points until I can figure it out. It was like the first time I got up and discovered webs on some of the plants. I went into panic mode until I figured out that I had a bunch of baby spiders. Not spider mites. lol

Larry, you're absolutely right. No need to panic if I see pests. Just take care of it, right? I've been trying to tell myself that for months now. lol But I know you're right. Thank you for sharing that story with us, by the way.

I have to admit I do love it when I can help a person save a plant. At the same time, I also tend to antagonize a lot of people with my "plant knowledge". They're just nice enough to tolerate me anyway. It must be my sparkling personality. lol

My mom and brother have been growing plants for years. Neither has read a thing about plants. Until I started learning things two years ago they didn't even know what most of their plants were. According to everything I've read, neither of them should be able to even keep an artificial plant alive! Their plants don't thrive the way they should (until I intervene), but they're hanging in there. Most of them have anyway. The ones that are strong enough to survive their care.

My brother keeps spider mites and mealies so often that I think he's harvesting them. He's just so matter of fact about them. It's like, "Yeah, the mealies / mites are back again and they're spreading. I guess we'll do something about it in a few weeks." Meanwhile, I don't want to go into his livingroom because I'm afraid one of his bugs will hitch a ride home with me. lol Once he actually gave me a cutting that he knew had bugs on it. It's just not a big deal to him. Yikes!

I have spent the last couple of weeks dealing with mealies from outside plants, disgusting soil, rearranging and washing. There are times that my plants just need A LOT attention. Thanks for letting me vent.
watergal
16 years ago
mr subjunctive, I'm amazed - from your encylopedic knowledge of indoor plants, I just assumed you were in the business! I didn't enter the field myself until some serious soul-searching when I hit a midlife crisis at age 40 and wanted to find a job that I loved. It's hard to make a living at it - horticulture doesn't pay very well unless you are a landscaper to the rich and famous, and I don't want to put up with their attitudes. I'm fortunate to have a husband with a good salary and benefits and job security, so I work three days a week and have the other two days for my family and my own gardens.
gabro14
16 years ago
Oh how I would love your job Watergal! I bet you love to get up in the morning and take care of plants...what a great job. I must admit, I do love my job though. I don't take care of plants...I take care of people...and even though they are able to talk back (unlike plants!), I get enjoyment out of it. But if (or when, hopefully) I have enough money saved up, I would love to spend my time working with plants and also breeding dogs. Plants and dogs...they don't talk back and it takes A LOT for them to get your blood pressure going!

Larry, thanks for that story...it was very inspiring. I have a mentally challenged brother, and I look at the simplicity of his life and the way he lives it....if only we can all live like that :)
christianme
16 years ago
It was a better time for me.I have learned so much about house plants from this forum and am so greatful for it.I really like the kind response I get here.However this is also where I learned about the bugs.I was totally unaware!I just know it will happen to me also. I check my plants over 2-3 times a week.I should be more like amanys brother.
birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Actually, I was only half serious when I said it was better 'NOT KNOWING'..Like anything else, it's important to learn, whether it's taking a course, reading, the internet or talking to ppl who study the subject..

Like Gabi's interest in breeding dogs..there's a lot to learn..When we lived in Chicago, I used to breed fish. So, there was tons of learning involved..what to feed babies, size of aquarium, what to do w/parents while babies were still young, etc.
When we moved to the burbs, selling fish was too much, so we kept the parents, until they passed on..then got into breeding baby cockatiels..another learning experience..more reading..I bred birds for 6 yrs..lots of fun, but work too. Now that the parents are getting older, there's not much breeding going on, but I admit in early spring I discareded over 25 eggs..I felt terrible, but because of dad's age, I was concerned for the chicks health..The last batch bore a few babies that weren't right..I had to keep one, a pure white, tiel, girl. She's basically crippled, and has all sorts of health problems..so I figured as difficult as it was for me to toss eggs, I couldn't see breeding more..It's just too upsetting.
BTW, Gabi, what type of dogs do you plan on breeding?
Larry, what a story!! Sad and joyful at the same time..I'm glad you continued education though..
So, yes, it is important to read all we can on plant topics..and there's so much more to learn..My memory isn't what it used to be..so I mostly stick w/common names these days..sorry folks..And with all the new hybrids it's almost impossible keeping up..lol..take care, Toni
naturelover_mtl
16 years ago
Good for you watergal! What a great way to live your life. Sometimes a job that pays less but makes you happy is much better.

Larry, that was a great story. It reminds me of a girl I knew when I was in elementary school (many moons ago...LOL). Anyhow, this little girl used to visit one of my neighbour's with her mom (I was friends with the neighbour's son) and I would see her whenever she came into the neighbourhood. Well, I didn't know what it was that made her different then; I do now. She looked different - her features were unlike the other kids. She talked more slowly, she did things unlike the rest of us. But the thing that comes to mind more than anything else is the cheerful, friendly disposition that followed her around. She was the sweetest, happiest child I'd ever know in my youth. I didn't know why she was different then. Now I know that she had Down's Syndrome. I haven't seen her in decades, but I've been thinking about her a lot in the past few weeks, for whatever reason. I wonder what ever became of her; where she is; what she is doing.
gabro14
16 years ago
Toni,

I would love to breed chocolate labs (labrador retrievers). I grew up with golden retrievers, but found they were just too hairy! So my first dog (aside from my "family" dogs) was a chocolate lab. I have never had a better dog. What a love! So I am partial to labs, and chocolate labs have such gorgeous coloring. My dog was 2 months old when I got her, and she is now 9 years old. She is a cancer survivor too. She had a spinal tumor about 2 1/2 years ago, and the oncologist and neurologist told me that even with surgery to remove it followed by radiation, the tumor would probably grow back. Well, I took the chance and got it done anyway...how could I not?? It cost me a FORTUNE (I didn't have doggie insurance unfortunately)...TEN THOUSAND BUCKAROOS. But she is fine now (knock on wood), so it was well worth it. My little girl beat the odds :)

Anyway, sorry to get off topic. But yeah, that's what I would breed. Now, of course after all that blabbering about my dog (Sawyer is her name), I just HAVE to show some pictures!

My little cutie waiting for a treat...could YOU deny those eyes??
{{gwi:90405}}

Lounging on the couch...oh, what a difficult life!
{{gwi:90406}}

Sawyer with her little cousin:
{{gwi:90407}}

No joke, I found her like this! I have no idea how she did it, but she did....
{{gwi:90408}}
birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Gabi, she's beautiful!!! I too love choc labs..She is really pretty..She looks soooo comfortable in certain spots..LOL..it's funny how she covered herself w/the pillow..lol..
That poor girl of yours has been through a LOT..and I'm happy hearing she's a survivor..2 1/2 yrs ago, you have nothing to worry about..
Wow, 10.000.00..I can't believe it..I know vets are expensive, some more than others, but that is high..Then again, she made it, so you should be nothing but happy..and she looks so dear.
Hope you get to start the breeding business. Aww, little puppies..LOL..Do u have other pets? Toni
amany
Original Author
16 years ago
Gabi, both babies are adorable! :-)

I'm glad Sawyer survived. She looks like such a sweetheart.
gabro14
16 years ago
Thanks for the kind words regarding Sawyer's health, Toni and Amanda :)

Toni,
The money was definitely worth it, but definitely a lot! I completely agree with you, vets charge so much. I took her to specialists, so maybe that's why it was so much. The surgery was 6,000 dollars and the radiation therapy was 4,500 dollars. Not to mention the MRI's and all the follow-up visits! And I had to take off work for 3 weeks and stay in upstate NY (about 4 hours away) because they have the best veterinary school up there (Cornell University)...that's where she had the radiation. So I had to pay to stay in a cottage for 3 weeks. I don't even want to THINK about what the total cost was, including all that stuff!! But she made it, that's what counts. But after ALL that, she was attacked by a dog a few months afterwards, and had 3 holes in her ear from the attack. Of course, I care more about what the attack did to her mentally than what the attack did to my pocket, lol! Thanks for all the compliments about her...she is one cute pup. And her personality is one of a kind! I'm guessing you have dogs, or at least some kind of pet, right? Sorry to hear about your breeding difficulties...must've been really tough. I don't have any other pets...with Sawyer, one is MORE than enough!

Gabi
gabro14
16 years ago
So I just took the cutest pics of Sawyer since my last post. It just shows how much of her personality you can see in just a few minutes!
I don't want to bombard Amanda's thread with doggie pics (since this IS a plant forum...although there is SUCH a similarity between plant people and animal people).

Anyway, whoever wants to check them out, here are the links:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/Gabro14/DSC02279.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/Gabro14/DSC02277.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/Gabro14/DSC02275.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b180/Gabro14/DSC02272.jpg

By the way, Toni, do you still have that white bird?

Gabi

Wasn't it Better When You Were Ignorant?

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